Salmon and Sea LionsBoth Deserve Life

by Lily Davis
The Oregonian, July 1, 2018

As an Oregonian and someone who holds Oregon coast wildlife very close to my heart, I am appalled and saddened at the bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives ("House votes to expand Oregon authority to kill predatory sea lions," June 26). The bill gives wildlife managers greater authority to kill sea lions in Oregon waters in an effort to protect salmon species.

I am aware of salmon's danger of extinction, but I ask that we not move to such a violent solution. Even the phrasing of the article made my stomach turn, describing the brutal killing of sea lions, the powerful and majestic animals cherished by visitors and natives of the Oregon coast.

Instead of this violence, we should focus on repairing the damage we have done through habitat restoration and improvements to our waterways. We should address the destruction human beings have caused through overfishing, habitat degradation, pollution and hydroelectric dams. We should be looking for ways to mend this destruction to protect both the salmon and the sea lions.